Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser Review

By: Kelly Burgess on September 08, 2017

Bottom Line

The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser allows users to get a better clean between teeth than with string
floss, and is great for cleaning around braces. With 10 pressure settings, the
Ultra Water Flosser can be customized for the most sensitive of gums.

Breaking it down

Performance

Cleans the hard to reach spots. The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
can clean hard-to-reach spots at the back of the mouth, around braces or just
in between teeth, and cleans more effectively than standard string floss.
Owners say the Waterpik is much more effective at removing stains left by
coffee or wine than a regular toothbrush. We read quite a few reviews from
those who say that using this Waterpik daily has "toughened" up their gums and
has reduced bleeding and sensitivity. The variety of settings gets praise, from
a gentle low setting up to those who love the stronger 10 setting.

Ease of use

A finicky on/off switch. The one main consistent complaint we
saw with the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser is that the on/off switch can be
difficult to move from one setting to another. Most don't point this out, but
we read enough similar statements to assume this is a definite issue for some.
Otherwise, the Aquarius is simple to plug in, fill up and go, but with 10
different pressure settings there may be a learning curve if you haven't used
an electric flosser before. Some users recommend starting on pressure setting
one or two until you're used to the machine, otherwise it might feel like
needles on sensitive gums. For the inexperienced, the Waterpik can get messy,
so, again, there is a learning curve to master to keep water from shooting
everywhere. Still, once they get the hang of it -- and figure out their ideal
settings -- most say that it's super simple to use.

Features

Multiple settings and large tank. The most notable feature of the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser is that it has 10 different speeds for users to choose from, depending on gum
sensitivity or how much pressure you need for removing food from between teeth.
The tank on the back can hold either water or mouthwash, and it holds enough
liquid for over 90 seconds of use. There is a one minute timer with a 30-second
pacer to remind you to move to a different quadrant.

Cost of ownership

Reasonable start-up costs, tips can
get pricey. The
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser comes with seven tips, including three classic
tips and four special-feature tips, and the each tip lasts around six months.
Replacement tips cost about $10 for a set of two, and given the sheer number of
tips that are needed to use all the cleaning options, that can start to add up,
owners say. Still, most find it worth the ongoing costs to maximize their
dental hygiene.

Our Sources

Two Tribune-Review newspaper staffers test the Aquarius Water Flosser. Both say the Aquarius does a great job of removing food particles they didn't realize were still in their teeth after brushing. Alice T. Carter, a leftie, says there was a bit of a learning curve; Sally Quinn says the unit fits nicely on her sink.

More than 8,770 contributors to Amazon.com give the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser 4.4 stars out of 5 for how well it cleans teeth compared to regular flossing. They also praise its many attachments and settings for different comfort levels and flossing goals. It gets particular kudos for stain removal between professional cleanings.

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